Portable electronic device with auto-dim timers

Abstract

A portable electronic device with a touch-sensitive display is disclosed. In some embodiments, the time period after which the display is dimmed due to user inactivity is extended based on user interaction with the device subsequent to a dimming event. The dim time can be extended for a single application, multiple applications, or for the device as a whole. The user interaction with the device that extends the dim time can be a touch on any button of the device, the device's touch screen display, or even a smack on the body of the device that is detected by an acceleration sensor.

1. A method, comprising:
 at a portable electronic device having a display:
 executing on the device a first application with a first auto dim time setting and first display window, and a second application with a second auto dim time setting that is independent of the first auto dim time and a second display window; 
 if the first display window is active, dimming the first display window when there is no user interaction with the first application for a period of time in excess of the first auto dim time setting, and if there is subsequent user interaction with the device to reverse the dimming within a predefined time of the dimming, reversing the dimming of the first display window and extending the first auto dim time setting; and 
 if the second display window is active, dimming the second display window when there is no user interaction with the second application for a period of time in excess of the second auto dim time setting, and if there is subsequent user interaction with the device to reverse the dimming within a predefined time of the dimming of the second display window, reversing the dimming of the second display window and extending the second auto dim time setting. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein extending the first auto dim time setting comprises substantially doubling the first auto dim time setting. 
     
     
       3. A computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs for execution by a portable electronic device having a display, the one or more programs including instructions for:
 executing on the device a first application with a first auto dim time setting and first display window, and a second application with a second auto dim time setting that is independent of the first auto dim time and a second display window; 
 if the first display window is active, dimming the first display window when there is no user interaction with the first application for a period of time in excess of the first auto dim time setting, and if there is subsequent user interaction with the device to reverse the dimming within a predefined time of the dimming, reversing the dimming of the first display window and extending the first auto dim time setting; and 
 if the second display window is active, dimming the second display window when there is no user interaction with the second application for a period of time in excess of the second auto dim time setting, and if there is subsequent user interaction with the device to reverse the dimming within a predefined time of the dimming, reversing the dimming of the second display window and extending the second auto dim time setting. 
 
     
     
       4. The computer readable storage medium of  claim 3 , wherein extending the first auto dim time setting comprises substantially doubling the first auto dim time setting. 
     
     
       5. A portable electronic device, comprising:
 a display; 
 one or more processors for executing computer programs; and 
 memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors of the portable electronic device, the one or more programs comprising instructions for: 
 executing on the device a first application with a first auto dim time setting and first display window, and a second application with a second auto dim time setting that is independent of the first auto dim time and a second display window; 
 if the first display window is active, dimming the first display window when there is no user interaction with the first application for a period of time in excess of the first auto dim time setting, and if there is subsequent user interaction with the device to reverse the dimming within a predefined time of the dimming, reversing the dimming of the first display window and extending the first auto dim time setting; and 
 if the second display window is active, dimming the second display window when there is no user interaction with the second application for a period of time in excess of the second auto dim time setting, and if there is subsequent user interaction with the device to reverse the dimming within a predefined time of the dimming, reversing the dimming of the second display window and extending the second auto dim time setting. 
 
     
     
       6. The portable electronic device of  claim 5 , wherein extending the first auto dim time setting comprises substantially doubling the first auto dim time setting.